tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-117013832018-01-23T07:17:07.585-08:00Life's a PicnicPhotographing people, places and food! Eating and traveling on a budget. Life's a picnic, enjoy!Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.comBlogger538125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-32618125574597305942017-05-13T10:24:00.000-07:002017-05-15T13:52:55.362-07:00Instagram ReadyA simple toast/tartine for breakfast. Mostly healthy, beautiful and easy to make. All ready for Instagram!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdd5QiBGpo4/WRc-GpIY8_I/AAAAAAAAFCA/F5FWjs7a7Q0CngrHy5HD0TYzEOr0k1Z3QCLcB/s1600/P1030620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdd5QiBGpo4/WRc-GpIY8_I/AAAAAAAAFCA/F5FWjs7a7Q0CngrHy5HD0TYzEOr0k1Z3QCLcB/s640/P1030620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram Ready Breakfast</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Oroweat Russian Rye<br />&nbsp;TJ's whipped cream cheese<br />TJ.s mini heirloom tomatoes<br />TJ.s Pastrami style smoked salmon<br />&nbsp;Capers<br />&nbsp;Fresh basil<br />TJ's Olive Oil<br />Salt and PepperGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-82307522973189811972017-04-10T10:54:00.003-07:002017-05-10T10:39:37.425-07:00Playing With FoodFood photo fun!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzfkrqmuBUI/WOvFdVUqiuI/AAAAAAAAFAg/NFhS8nu990oLAeenwaMscpprZcwCIvHHQCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzfkrqmuBUI/WOvFdVUqiuI/AAAAAAAAFAg/NFhS8nu990oLAeenwaMscpprZcwCIvHHQCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo capture April 3, 2017 Amtrak Coast Starlight Dining Car</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7YRMUf-kjc/WOvGgATl3SI/AAAAAAAAFAo/r62M9XwW-DQRLjGYUff359MRLqTLXZqyQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7YRMUf-kjc/WOvGgATl3SI/AAAAAAAAFAo/r62M9XwW-DQRLjGYUff359MRLqTLXZqyQCLcB/s640/IMG_1593.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo effect Prisma Filter</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-88193598336169172622017-01-26T10:41:00.000-08:002017-01-26T10:41:55.832-08:00Polenta for BreakfastAvril made an updated version of what she had as a child, "fried mush." We had polenta last night as a side dish with chicken. The leftover was spread in a square dish and refrigerated. Today she cut the solid polenta and sautéed in olive oil and butter. When caramelized she plated, the now soft center polenta, with a honey drizzle and chiffonade of basil. Breakfast is served! &nbsp; <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5VVT-UNz14/WIpCfHUNMQI/AAAAAAAAE-8/yMS3o5as1SshUOMtGUo7N93lL33Y_-wBwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u5VVT-UNz14/WIpCfHUNMQI/AAAAAAAAE-8/yMS3o5as1SshUOMtGUo7N93lL33Y_-wBwCLcB/s640/IMG_1469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Polenta with Honey and Basil</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-80280117408104939612017-01-18T15:25:00.001-08:002017-01-18T15:25:18.075-08:00Pho Ramen Mash UpIt is pouring rain and the skies are grey. This is a soup day if there ever was one. I scoured the pantry and came across a packet of Pho broth mix that I had purchased many moons ago. There is always some ramen noodles hanging out, so I put the two together with some roast beef, basil, lime and left over veg. Yummy!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdpUeUhviBQ/WH_4UMnug8I/AAAAAAAAE-c/D_JXl4ROUV44WWmzMM9wbUHs9ZkhQn7LQCLcB/s1600/P1030007.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdpUeUhviBQ/WH_4UMnug8I/AAAAAAAAE-c/D_JXl4ROUV44WWmzMM9wbUHs9ZkhQn7LQCLcB/s640/P1030007.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pho Ramen&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-75326667883509320802017-01-09T09:40:00.001-08:002017-01-09T09:40:47.972-08:00No Meat Monday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TlqP4YsGCM/WHPJvWrpoSI/AAAAAAAAE9s/EO4PxB5vwNg4XMjOMOPOopPZM-aKbdw4gCLcB/s1600/P1020986.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TlqP4YsGCM/WHPJvWrpoSI/AAAAAAAAE9s/EO4PxB5vwNg4XMjOMOPOopPZM-aKbdw4gCLcB/s640/P1020986.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Roast Grain Meat Taco</td></tr></tbody></table>My son is now committed to a meat free diet. He made these tacos from Field Roast Mexican Chipotle Grain Meat. Damn good food!Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-1220274190580822472017-01-02T11:25:00.000-08:002017-01-02T11:25:26.955-08:00New Years Toast!This time of year we tend to hibernate. We have made resolutions to eat healthier and not spend money like we had a lot. With those resolutions in mind Avril made bread and I butchered avocado for this delicious toast.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gj4utkyb2rE/WGqolwoV5gI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/vdlzet_201Ep2tORRQjhFE7zt5znDMaUACLcB/s1600/P1020979.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gj4utkyb2rE/WGqolwoV5gI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/vdlzet_201Ep2tORRQjhFE7zt5znDMaUACLcB/s640/P1020979.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avocado Toast</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-18457073646542539352016-12-31T10:28:00.002-08:002016-12-31T10:30:10.717-08:00Peanut Butter Jelly Time!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNWarPFdA38/WGf2TfatntI/AAAAAAAAE9I/hIHwInITEPkk33qiDP2ra9-Px72MjXyHwCLcB/s1600/P1020974.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNWarPFdA38/WGf2TfatntI/AAAAAAAAE9I/hIHwInITEPkk33qiDP2ra9-Px72MjXyHwCLcB/s640/P1020974.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut Butter Jelly Time!</td></tr></tbody></table>Alvarado St. Bakery sprouted California Style Bread, &nbsp;Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves, &nbsp; Trader Joe's salted creamy style peanut butter, &nbsp;Rustic cutting board from Minkoff Custom Knives Astoria Oregon.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-81849448056689149892016-12-30T15:04:00.002-08:002016-12-31T10:31:44.786-08:00Pastry Love<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTEcGrwbpII/WGbn19pBGrI/AAAAAAAAE84/nXfJzLnDZLsjmuvjo37h9wLBS4u8kKr9ACLcB/s1600/DSCN5315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTEcGrwbpII/WGbn19pBGrI/AAAAAAAAE84/nXfJzLnDZLsjmuvjo37h9wLBS4u8kKr9ACLcB/s640/DSCN5315.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastry Love</td></tr></tbody></table>I think the photo speaks for itself!<br />Creekside Bakery Novato, Ca.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-35031252633442014382016-08-07T09:26:00.000-07:002016-08-07T09:27:25.989-07:00Cofee and Camera in the GardenEvery year we plant a small garden off the back deck. This year has been a slow starer but we are finally seeing some results. Early morning is a great time for photos so I gathered my coffee and camera and came up with some tomato still life photos. Nothing better than home grown tomatoes!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3_nL5Nswq0/V6dgq7OS2fI/AAAAAAAAE24/vAP8LS5TjeAjO_ATCDV_zTRn4MfHiHASgCLcB/s1600/P1020398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3_nL5Nswq0/V6dgq7OS2fI/AAAAAAAAE24/vAP8LS5TjeAjO_ATCDV_zTRn4MfHiHASgCLcB/s640/P1020398.JPG" width="504" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4WRvVg7bm8/V6dg3dRnbdI/AAAAAAAAE28/fff7knMUP7IAcwMlAUTsdAvp1QcegzlgACLcB/s1600/P1020397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4WRvVg7bm8/V6dg3dRnbdI/AAAAAAAAE28/fff7knMUP7IAcwMlAUTsdAvp1QcegzlgACLcB/s640/P1020397.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-12269833013930144612016-07-23T12:58:00.000-07:002016-07-23T13:42:40.808-07:00Meal Inspiration As I surf the inter-webs sometimes ideas leap into my brain. In a Bon Appetit "Road Trip Week" <i><a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/article/breakfast-tacos-for-road-trips">article,</a></i> by Rick Matinez, &nbsp;he remembers tacos his parents brought along for their road journey. My kids' &nbsp;memories would be of <a href="http://www.triscuit.com/">Triscuits&nbsp;</a>and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_Cheese">Easy Cheese</a>, our warm weather road trip staples. In our defense we got a lot more creative after our arrival. During our vacations to Disneyland we would rent a hotel with a small fridge and a microwave. It was long before the days of prerequisite free hotel breakfasts, so we &nbsp;brought our &nbsp;<a href="http://www.blackanddeckerappliances.com/products/cooking-appliances/convection-and-toaster-ovens/4-slice-counter-top-oven-to1332sbd.aspx">Black + Decker toaster oven</a>. It was almost like having our own secret kitchen. Breakfasts of toasted bagels with cream cheese or peanut butter were favorites. On a couple of days we bought very inexpensive Pan Dulce and orange juice from the Mexican Market next door. Trying to usher four kids around the market was like herding cats, so i promised them they could split &nbsp;two packages of <a href="http://www.premiobimbo.com/nuestras-marcas/pasteles/marinela/pinguinos.html">Pinguinos</a> if they were good. Dinner items included hot dogs, frozen pizza and macaroni - cheese. For the vegetable-fruit meal components we bought snack packs of carrots, celery and sliced apples. We had the best times and did not bust the bank.<br /><br />We decided on a small road trip to a local park today so I used Mr. Martinez taco for frugal inspiration. I put together some breakfast tacos and a thermos of coffee for less than three bucks. We drove past the Starbucks and headed to the park. Happy weekend!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6w_LB2xzhM/V5PLQpsWe2I/AAAAAAAAE14/xeA_5iBuCB4Xum8P7efznO-Eic4ExAbIQCLcB/s1600/P1020290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6w_LB2xzhM/V5PLQpsWe2I/AAAAAAAAE14/xeA_5iBuCB4Xum8P7efznO-Eic4ExAbIQCLcB/s640/P1020290.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frugal Breakfast Taco</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-9804613550340059752016-07-05T09:12:00.000-07:002016-07-05T09:12:23.810-07:00Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!The low cost home family meal experience continues. The family style platter below features citrus marinated chicken tenders (Kirkland), harvest grain blend (Trader Joe's) and garlic spinach ( Costco). This was a huge amount of food for the two of us! We used the leftovers for a fritatta breakfast&nbsp; the next day. The total food cost was under six dollars! Eat good and be frugal. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYBrPa9M9K8/V3vcHfsTevI/AAAAAAAAEz0/E8Wa4MG9_BwA7RbRT862Ls8sO7ESRIojQCLcB/s1600/P1020191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYBrPa9M9K8/V3vcHfsTevI/AAAAAAAAEz0/E8Wa4MG9_BwA7RbRT862Ls8sO7ESRIojQCLcB/s640/P1020191.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citrus Marinated Chicken Tenders</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6Ax7e3P-O8/V3l0hautkjI/AAAAAAAAEzk/zHmciypElWQcLJybwQSeuLA-cExiZMYlgCLcB/s1600/P1020191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a class="nhu" href="https://www.zomato.com/reno-nv/restaurants-in-89511"></a></div><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-81691850509218326802016-06-25T09:55:00.000-07:002016-06-25T09:56:38.132-07:00Budget Realignment Due to an unforeseen decrease on the income side of our budget, a realignment was required on the spending side. One of the easiest cutbacks on spending is entertainment. I love to travel and eat at restaurants and blog about it. That is on hold for now. &nbsp;Budget seemed like a obscure profane word!<br /><div>We budgeted before and still had a wonderful time while the kids grew up. An attitude adjustment was in order. Eat well and have a good time on a frugal budget! &nbsp;The credit cards &nbsp;are paid and will stay that way for a while. With a little effort one can self entertain. Food and wine, in good company, tastes just as good on a budget. A three dollar bottle of Charles Shaw is on par with the forty dollar bottle at the hotel bar. What shall I blog about? Our food for sure! Look out for some budget home cooked meals. Lets start with a dinner at my place. Teriyaki marinated pork loin, creamy polenta and grilled green beans with tomatoes. What would you pay at a restaurant? The total food cost for this meal was under six dollars. A bottle of Charles Shaw added three bucks to the tab. Under ten bucks for a huge dinner for two! That is pretty darn cheap way to entertain.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzGZtLEDzSw/V262_DrQ9vI/AAAAAAAAEx0/mMt69IfmmNc5KA6yL2wK-AqYdfVXWbZcACLcB/s1600/P1020178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzGZtLEDzSw/V262_DrQ9vI/AAAAAAAAEx0/mMt69IfmmNc5KA6yL2wK-AqYdfVXWbZcACLcB/s640/P1020178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at my place!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-36944714971536658492016-04-08T11:33:00.001-07:002016-04-08T13:55:13.105-07:00A Work in ProgressEmeryville Public Market<br /><br />Any long term reader knows we like to take the train when traveling, boarding at the &nbsp;Emeryville Amtrak Station for all our destinations. Before this train trip to Portland we hung out around the station. We were in hungry mode so we strolled over to the<a href="http://publicmarketemeryville.com/"> <i>Emeryville Public Market</i></a>. What a change is happening there! New stores and food shops shine. They have opened up the place in what I would call industrial chic style. &nbsp;For a food photographer, the skylights provide an abundance of natural light. We wandered a bit and decided on<i> <a href="http://www.kojakitchen.com/">Koja Kitchen</a></i>, a Korean/Japanese fusion, fast - casual restaurant, &nbsp;that started as a food truck. Avril chose the chicken Koja, burger style with garlic rice cakes subbing in for buns. I had the beef bowl, a rice bowl with lots of flavorful toppings. Both items were wonderful! In this age of Instagram Koja Kitchen's plating was camera ready, no styling or fluffing necessary. Feast your eyes!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PgfP0EJRfo/Vwf4LSnIdAI/AAAAAAAAEv4/h6dLuBE2mT8WgCPntua6FHx7l9nphZadQ/s1600/P1010772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PgfP0EJRfo/Vwf4LSnIdAI/AAAAAAAAEv4/h6dLuBE2mT8WgCPntua6FHx7l9nphZadQ/s640/P1010772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Koja - Koja Kitchen Emeryville</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3FNcR45Mfo/Vwf4v7S3-9I/AAAAAAAAEv8/j2aqQWCfLqQD3svtv7OoTRIjFIXKho_FA/s1600/P1010778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3FNcR45Mfo/Vwf4v7S3-9I/AAAAAAAAEv8/j2aqQWCfLqQD3svtv7OoTRIjFIXKho_FA/s640/P1010778.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef Bowl - Koja Kitchen Emeryville</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-40136792367940747462016-04-01T10:43:00.000-07:002016-04-01T10:43:26.906-07:00Burger Burger!Been traveling a bit and find that burgers are a go to item on our journeys. Even at some high cost hotel restaurants there is usually a reasonably priced burger on the menu. Portion sizes are always huge and we can normally split an order. In the downtown Portland area there many happy hours menus offering cheap wine and burgers under nine dollars. Wine and burgers! I scrolled through my photos of the last couple years and found lots of burgers. This collage should make you want a burger!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssWiogk3veE/Vv6yySMHJXI/AAAAAAAAEvk/f2uzkW2zf0sNf7CzeK5GD3stggrTzHbzA/s1600/2016-03-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssWiogk3veE/Vv6yySMHJXI/AAAAAAAAEvk/f2uzkW2zf0sNf7CzeK5GD3stggrTzHbzA/s640/2016-03-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burgers a plenty!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-88309607753790844372016-03-02T10:34:00.000-08:002016-03-02T10:34:09.970-08:00I Toast You!There has been much written about toast lately. Depending on what side you fall, it is the best thing happening or it will lead to the hipster takeover of the world. Blah! Toast has been around forever. It is as healthy or unhealthy as you make it. Toast is simple, inexpensive and in my little world very photogenic. Enjoy!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gINZuU7USsw/Vtcw1wadwnI/AAAAAAAAEvA/1xFGTiFTOro/s1600/2015-12-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gINZuU7USsw/Vtcw1wadwnI/AAAAAAAAEvA/1xFGTiFTOro/s640/2015-12-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toast My Way</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-80816420046176178902016-02-18T12:05:00.002-08:002016-02-18T12:05:57.354-08:00Blog Support Runaway WeekdayBefore being charged with blog neglect and have to pay blog support, I best get back in the game! We made it a point to stay out of the crowds at Superbowl. Loads of people and high prices is not my idea of a good time. Avril had a job interview in the city Tuesday after the Superbowl. Rather than drive to the city or getting up before dawn to bus it, we decided to grab a room the night before. <i><a href="https://www.hotwire.com/">Hotwire</a></i> produced a four and half star room at the <i><a href="http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/san-francisco">Omni Hotel</a></i> for a great price. The day before it would have been four times the price. We took the Larkspur ferry to San Francisco, after driving around for half an hour looking for a parking space in their lot. I hope the SMART Train connection happens in my lifetime! In the city Superbowl was still evident. They had begun to dismantle the structures that had closed the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street but the huge building signs remained.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40pMy0x2AS8/VsYYYpa5eRI/AAAAAAAAEt8/CkABqfyzodw/s1600/P1010655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40pMy0x2AS8/VsYYYpa5eRI/AAAAAAAAEt8/CkABqfyzodw/s640/P1010655.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superbowl Signs</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I has been a while for me being in the financial district and I was amazed that everyone walked eyes buried in their cell phones! We checked into the Omni. It is a beautiful place and remarkably quiet even though it is in the middle of traffic anarchy.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bIe38E-R5zE/VsYaL0C-FlI/AAAAAAAAEuM/WpZPC02DCcI/s1600/P1010657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bIe38E-R5zE/VsYaL0C-FlI/AAAAAAAAEuM/WpZPC02DCcI/s640/P1010657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omni Hotel San Francico</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3GYnipY4QUQ/VsYaOaV2nmI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/2K7L9oWDw9w/s1600/P1010658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3GYnipY4QUQ/VsYaOaV2nmI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/2K7L9oWDw9w/s640/P1010658.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omni Hotel San Francisco</td></tr></tbody></table>It was cocktail time and we decided to try the bar at <a href="http://bobs-steakandchop.com/san-francisco/">Bob's Steak and Chophouse</a>, located adjacent to the lobby. Avril had a cosmo and I, some savignon blanc. The drinks were $17 each!! Admittedly they were huge and came with a sweet, hot and addictive bar mix. &nbsp;The people watching was fantastic. This is a place to see and be seen! Dress nice.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--A8hS8YjlVA/VsYdU5_GLwI/AAAAAAAAEuc/iqfrGWx5H-E/s1600/2016-02-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--A8hS8YjlVA/VsYdU5_GLwI/AAAAAAAAEuc/iqfrGWx5H-E/s640/2016-02-09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob's Bar at the Omni Hotel San Francisco</td></tr></tbody></table>The next morning &nbsp;I walked next door to Starbucks and grabbed coffee to fuel Avril for her meeting. It went well and she is hoping for a positive result. Still loving San Francisco!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-80499012640774169842015-12-03T11:14:00.000-08:002015-12-03T11:14:31.628-08:00I've Been Everywhere The Johnny Cash song "I've been everywhere," &nbsp;plays in the background as I pen this blog. The song has been used in multiple commercials for travel and is appropriate for my travels of late. I have been absent from my blog instead choosing the instant gratification of Instagram and Twitter to mark my travels. I'm slowing the pace here and playing blog catch up.<br /><br />The final stop on our Alaska cruise was Victoria B.C. All cruise ships that board in the U.S. must have one stop outside the country to comply with U.S. law. This is quite O.K. with us. We love Victoria and have been here on several occasions. We decided to check out Fisherman's Wharf, a short walk from the ship port. I was expecting something commercial like the San Francisco Wharf. Instead it was a low profile wharf with a cute combo of business, residences and fishing boats. Add this to the places we could live. We had no plans or agenda, just to go with the flow. I have found the best adventures occur spontaneously! We wandered about and just then a water taxi showed up and we leaped aboard!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft7MWF94FTM/VmCOYAH6ZsI/AAAAAAAAEpI/vzU90We_Y70/s1600/P1000643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft7MWF94FTM/VmCOYAH6ZsI/AAAAAAAAEpI/vzU90We_Y70/s640/P1000643.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman's Wharf Victoria B.C.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cyd3sq4r9E/VmCO0e_ekuI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/O-DsL9OAnZc/s1600/P1000653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cyd3sq4r9E/VmCO0e_ekuI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/O-DsL9OAnZc/s640/P1000653.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Taxi Victoria B.C.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bF0jSQ1hFO0/VmCPqhQ4NCI/AAAAAAAAEpY/bz8ODlyx_so/s1600/P1000654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bF0jSQ1hFO0/VmCPqhQ4NCI/AAAAAAAAEpY/bz8ODlyx_so/s640/P1000654.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Harbor Victoria B.C.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>On of our favorite spots to photograph in Victoria is the Empress Hotel. There is such a beautiful garden area with lots of flowers ready to pose for pictures.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0KRlB-VlSY/VmCQtGuAU_I/AAAAAAAAEpg/kHRicBMMilo/s1600/P1000658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0KRlB-VlSY/VmCQtGuAU_I/AAAAAAAAEpg/kHRicBMMilo/s640/P1000658.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Empress Hotel Victoria B.C.</td></tr></tbody></table>Here is where the spontaneous adventure occurred. We knew there were bee hives on property and as we approached there was a bee keeper working. He wore no protective gear but both he and the bees were real mellow. The bee keeper explained he was winterizing the bees. Avril has always wanted to keep bees so this was a totally awesome experience! I was in photographic heaven! Can you plan this stuff? A free show included.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyb5CzXq8R8/VmCS4ETD_oI/AAAAAAAAEps/zLdVECuUZkE/s1600/2015-08-313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyb5CzXq8R8/VmCS4ETD_oI/AAAAAAAAEps/zLdVECuUZkE/s640/2015-08-313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Keeper Empress Hotel Victoria B.C.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-90205434873105399052015-10-14T10:20:00.000-07:002015-10-14T10:20:31.962-07:00Glaciers - Icebergs and Irish Coffee!A wonderful part of our cruise was traveling up Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier. No getting off and on the ship, &nbsp;just a scenic journey with spectacular views accessible from a deck chair. As we entered the fjord I took up position on Lido Deck aft. I secured my deck chair, &nbsp;garbed in &nbsp;my warmest gear, with cameras ready. I was overlooking the stern pool watching were we had been. Having taken this trip before, I knew when we arrived at Sawyer Glacier the ship would turn around affording me a brilliant view of the glacier. Avril likes to be more mobile, so she wandered about using what photographers call the run and gun.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ChOuSnxV7E/Vh6D0E6OTnI/AAAAAAAAEl8/kvRqlpIhTg4/s1600/_DSC5229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ChOuSnxV7E/Vh6D0E6OTnI/AAAAAAAAEl8/kvRqlpIhTg4/s640/_DSC5229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Tracy Arm Fjord Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56rjEFlymRs/Vh6EV_mqJzI/AAAAAAAAEmE/6mTP8QU5UOM/s1600/_DSC5239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56rjEFlymRs/Vh6EV_mqJzI/AAAAAAAAEmE/6mTP8QU5UOM/s640/_DSC5239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avril - Intrepid Travel Photographer</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAfbYkvK438/Vh6E0OvuLRI/AAAAAAAAEmM/IqfF3padUFA/s1600/_DSC5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAfbYkvK438/Vh6E0OvuLRI/AAAAAAAAEmM/IqfF3padUFA/s640/_DSC5246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy Arm Fjord Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WS6sw7oOcXI/Vh6FFH_r6VI/AAAAAAAAEmU/a0bSo8yZfnc/s1600/_DSC5253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WS6sw7oOcXI/Vh6FFH_r6VI/AAAAAAAAEmU/a0bSo8yZfnc/s640/_DSC5253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy Arm Fjord Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table>By now the crowds had begun to get larger. Princess, in method of marketing genius, &nbsp;had a crew member rolling around a cart selling made to order Irish Coffee. He has made up a chant to sell his wares. "Oh we... get your Irish Coffee...make you happy... make you beautiful.... Irish Coffee oh we!"<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTY0wA48FqE/Vh6G5zGIJGI/AAAAAAAAEmg/NPv1TlB0xDw/s1600/_DSC5317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTY0wA48FqE/Vh6G5zGIJGI/AAAAAAAAEmg/NPv1TlB0xDw/s640/_DSC5317.JPG" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Coffee vendor Golden Princess Alaska Cruise</td></tr></tbody></table>As if on cue, two modelesque guys striped down to bathing suits and jumped into the warm pool. I wonder if they provided a well thought out photo opportunity or were just a couple of spontaneous, wild and crazy guys!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUda5-n4exo/Vh6JNaVnS_I/AAAAAAAAEms/gOCnIb1z8Qw/s1600/P1000569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUda5-n4exo/Vh6JNaVnS_I/AAAAAAAAEms/gOCnIb1z8Qw/s640/P1000569.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm pools and icebergs Princess Alaska Cruise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc5Bl2NVM-0/Vh6NhYE1fyI/AAAAAAAAEnA/jbijwnu1nsM/s1600/_DSC5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc5Bl2NVM-0/Vh6NhYE1fyI/AAAAAAAAEnA/jbijwnu1nsM/s640/_DSC5293.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy Arm Fjord Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I0DBLEsKeT8/Vh6NzdpyM5I/AAAAAAAAEnI/0hBlFYxmsuo/s1600/_DSC5313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I0DBLEsKeT8/Vh6NzdpyM5I/AAAAAAAAEnI/0hBlFYxmsuo/s640/_DSC5313.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawyer Glacier Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-77464047192929488312015-10-06T10:47:00.000-07:002015-10-07T06:50:36.776-07:00Catch You in Ketchikan We had a mission of sorts when we arrived in Ketchikan. &nbsp;Avril's colleague raved about a restaurant in town called the <b><a href="http://www.alaskafishhouse.com/index.cfm">Alaska Fish House</a></b>. &nbsp;He loved their<a href="http://www.alaskafishhouse.com/seafood_recipes.cfm?page=recipes/salmon-recipe"> <b>smoked salmon chowder</b></a>, &nbsp;made with canned salmon. He had tried in vain to purchase their canned salmon online and &nbsp;hoped that we could pick up some and bring it back to him. &nbsp;We wandered the pretty downtown knowing we &nbsp;would make our last stop the Fish House. The town was crazy busy because there was at least four big cruise ships docked. We dodged many a seagoing tourist. &nbsp;It turns out there is no retail salmon sales at the Fish House! They must have seen the disappointment on our faces and were kind enough to send us down the street to the <b><a href="http://salmonmarket.com/index.php?main_page=about_us">Salmon Market</a>,&nbsp;</b>where we loaded up on salmon for him and us. &nbsp;Another beautiful day in Alaska!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npmpMLCLv1Y/VhQHmtwSFHI/AAAAAAAAElA/PKtT-Z_ZuEk/s1600/P1000597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npmpMLCLv1Y/VhQHmtwSFHI/AAAAAAAAElA/PKtT-Z_ZuEk/s640/P1000597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ketchikan Alaska&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opQI75Segv4/VhQH5NVODHI/AAAAAAAAElI/iQsm9CtV_TQ/s1600/P1000607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opQI75Segv4/VhQH5NVODHI/AAAAAAAAElI/iQsm9CtV_TQ/s640/P1000607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Princess Ketchikan Alaska&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OdQcvc44I04/VhQImvwD6MI/AAAAAAAAElQ/oEbbSx29d2A/s1600/P1000610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OdQcvc44I04/VhQImvwD6MI/AAAAAAAAElQ/oEbbSx29d2A/s640/P1000610.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Princess Ketchikan Alaska&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-92146744023438740852015-10-02T09:39:00.001-07:002015-10-06T09:59:53.473-07:00Train Day in Skagway AlaskaOur second stop in Alaska was Skagway. We decided to do a shore excursion sold by Princess. I love riding trains and ships, this day we did both! &nbsp;White Pass and Yukon Scenic Railroad pulls their train up to the ship and you jump on-board for &nbsp;ride up and down the mountain. I wish it was &nbsp;more sunny and clear day, but I still got some good photos! Click on the photo below for a slide show of our trip.<br /><br /><table style="width: 194px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="background: url(https://www.gstatic.com/pwa/s/v/lighthousefe_20150907.00_p0/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left; height: 194px;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/101172325456729879647/SkagwayAlaska?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNXkg6y2gOiKjAE&amp;feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NUVA1EUcctM/VgrZSpm5O6E/AAAAAAAAEhM/7NQzYW6Nx8A/s160-c-Ic42/SkagwayAlaska.jpg" style="margin: 1px 0px 0px 4px;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/101172325456729879647/SkagwayAlaska?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNXkg6y2gOiKjAE&amp;feat=embedwebsite" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Skagway Alaska</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Naturally when we got back to the ship the sun came out. The view from deck 14 was magnificent! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WDuQCDk9b0w/VhP9VVFqyUI/AAAAAAAAEko/TWqr7IzcjkY/s1600/P1000529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WDuQCDk9b0w/VhP9VVFqyUI/AAAAAAAAEko/TWqr7IzcjkY/s640/P1000529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Princess Skagway Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gweGjins8o0/VhP92B6TlpI/AAAAAAAAEkw/LRclBK9fw0k/s1600/P1000533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gweGjins8o0/VhP92B6TlpI/AAAAAAAAEkw/LRclBK9fw0k/s640/P1000533.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Princess Skagway Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-28019513259404272982015-09-22T08:45:00.000-07:002015-09-22T15:36:33.185-07:00Exciting Days!In the last three weeks we &nbsp;have done all kinds of things! We took a ten day cruise to Alaska, celebrated forty years of marriage, became new grandparents and traveled, to and from, Portland on the Amtrak Coast Starlight. We had many fine meals and gathered award points from Marriott and Hyatt Hotels. Avril has been amazing! She is &nbsp;pleasure to travel with and somehow manages to juggle work and personal time with grace. Thank God for high speed internet access and happy hour wine! <br />I just now sat down and started to sort out all this adventure and figure out how to blog about it. I think I will hit the highlights a little at a time.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-URek958NmRs/VfhhvfxoLHI/AAAAAAAAEdk/RxTx8Z8Oywk/s1600/P1000451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-URek958NmRs/VfhhvfxoLHI/AAAAAAAAEdk/RxTx8Z8Oywk/s640/P1000451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stern Pool Golden Princess- Looking back to San Francisco</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeYf4ocpKdQ/VgFyRCWsy8I/AAAAAAAAEeA/rrBhjXsZs7c/s1600/P1000502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeYf4ocpKdQ/VgFyRCWsy8I/AAAAAAAAEeA/rrBhjXsZs7c/s640/P1000502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy day in Juneau!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The first stop of the cruise was Juneau. It was rainy and cold so we did not spend much time on shore. We wandered about in the bluster and ended up at <a href="http://www.takustore.com/">Taku Store</a>. We bought lots of salmon as souvenirs and gifts. In my brain, edible souvenirs are the best. We headed back to the ship for early dinner time in the Crown Grill Steakhouse, to celebrate forty years! Our great kids had prearranged gifts of champagne and wine and somehow managed to convince Princess to comp the cover charge for the Crown Grill. We both ordered filet mignon and lobster, our favorite! The entree arrived on huge plates surrounded by more plates with mushrooms, fries and grilled asparagus. It was the smallest item on the menu but still a enormous amount of food. I was wishing I had skipped breakfast and lunch!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLxRFz0wMdM/VgF08GvEzeI/AAAAAAAAEeM/DfDg_wtizcM/s1600/2015-08-311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLxRFz0wMdM/VgF08GvEzeI/AAAAAAAAEeM/DfDg_wtizcM/s640/2015-08-311.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown Grill Golden Princess</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tauznqpFcds/VgF2zj7JbpI/AAAAAAAAEeY/XSgfkXLZa0M/s1600/2015-08-312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tauznqpFcds/VgF2zj7JbpI/AAAAAAAAEeY/XSgfkXLZa0M/s640/2015-08-312.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Princess a great place for our anniversary!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-1283680242460663062015-09-01T09:16:00.000-07:002015-09-01T17:52:41.251-07:00Happy Anniversary!Princess Cruises is celebrating 50 years! We thought it was appropriate to celebrate our 40th anniversary on board the Golden Princess north to Alaska. Forty years! It was an arranged marriage, she was 6 and I was 9. Insert smiley face here!! ;)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K14OHnt-ISw/VeXEW1wNKvI/AAAAAAAAEb4/VmhgiXS5XQo/s1600/P1000424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K14OHnt-ISw/VeXEW1wNKvI/AAAAAAAAEb4/VmhgiXS5XQo/s640/P1000424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Fifty Princess Cruises!</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;One of our favorite things to do on a cruise ship is eat! My favorite meal of the day is breakfast and the Golden Princess is a great place to eat it. I like to have two breakfasts! Breakfast number one is at 630 a.m. in the Piazza with coffee drinks and pastry.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppGRW9aKbM4/VeXLyPTdYWI/AAAAAAAAEcI/rZ_LtyAd5eo/s1600/P1000489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppGRW9aKbM4/VeXLyPTdYWI/AAAAAAAAEcI/rZ_LtyAd5eo/s640/P1000489.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cappuccino Piazza Golden Princess Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Gxdq0wvH2I/VeXMk9jm8XI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/Z_Y6ApX6pi8/s1600/P1000491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Gxdq0wvH2I/VeXMk9jm8XI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/Z_Y6ApX6pi8/s640/P1000491.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastry! Golden Princess Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Breakfast number one proceeds walking the decks for me, and Zumba for Avril. Got to work up an appetite for breakfast two at 1030! I have not had grits in many a day. So many breakfast choices in the Horizon Court Buffet!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ooSgSzMzUg/VeXMufZQaiI/AAAAAAAAEcY/o1_q4AcUHA4/s1600/P1000446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ooSgSzMzUg/VeXMufZQaiI/AAAAAAAAEcY/o1_q4AcUHA4/s640/P1000446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffet Breakfast Golden &nbsp;Princess Alaska</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-44129046469157266152015-08-20T09:45:00.000-07:002015-08-20T09:45:44.166-07:00Power Breakfast !We are in San Francisco to begin our latest journey. It is breakfast and we decide on our favorite spot <a href="http://www.jdvhotels.com/content/uploads/2014/06/americano_breakfast.pdf">Americano</a>, inside Hotel Vitale. On entering I notice a large covey of suited business men. It appears Americano is THE spot for San Francisco politicos to meet and greet in the morning. Faces included former mayor Willie Brown and journalist Phil Matier. These guys know good food!!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sulwvVZBvWk/VdX_3rTHKpI/AAAAAAAAEa0/JUv8PjrVQv0/s1600/greg%2Balaska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sulwvVZBvWk/VdX_3rTHKpI/AAAAAAAAEa0/JUv8PjrVQv0/s640/greg%2Balaska.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power breakfast Americano - Hotel Vitale San Francisco</td></tr></tbody></table>We felt a little out of place casually dressed and Avril was mad I told her not to put on makeup. I think it was George Gobel who said, "Did you ever get the feeling the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?"Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-32575134751781781752015-08-06T10:11:00.000-07:002015-08-06T10:12:44.287-07:00Living the Tomato LifeIt's tomato season! Get one while they're ripe and sweet! Here is a breakfast "recipe."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPsmyaNCG_g/VcOTEELKMUI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/igpIj1bDRqY/s1600/P1000322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPsmyaNCG_g/VcOTEELKMUI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/igpIj1bDRqY/s640/P1000322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Tomato Sando</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hv-bGsBrAiQ/VcOTUosWeeI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/qyEinaWQiqE/s1600/P1000324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="538" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hv-bGsBrAiQ/VcOTUosWeeI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/qyEinaWQiqE/s640/P1000324.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Open Face Tomato Sandwich</td></tr></tbody></table><br />"Recipe" and sourcing.<br /><br />Whole wheat loaf, Creekside Bakery<br />Red tomato, homegrown<br />Best Foods Mayonnaise aka Hellman's Real Mayonnaise<br />Yellow Heirloom tomato, Harvest Market<br />Trader Joe's pink Hawaiian salt, fresh ground<br />Trader Joe's pepper, fresh ground<br /><br />Easy peasy lemon squeezy!Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11701383.post-48498171513717239562015-07-14T12:49:00.000-07:002015-07-14T12:49:58.571-07:00Coffee TalkingThe coffee kicked in and cleared my head this morning. As I cruised social media I realized i'm not the only coffee head around. If I had a dollar for every cup of coffee pictured on social media I would be a very wealthy man. I cruised through my photos over the year and made a collage of my caffeinated indulgences.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTlHabjKJ4Y/VaVkJUw0GwI/AAAAAAAAEUw/UiX17hEDu0A/s1600/2014-10-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTlHabjKJ4Y/VaVkJUw0GwI/AAAAAAAAEUw/UiX17hEDu0A/s640/2014-10-03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee Talking</td></tr></tbody></table>My home brew method is a little less photogenic. I hand grind the beans and use a Harrio pour over.<br />Coffee is a very profitable product. At home you provide the labor and save over eighty percent of the cost of a cup. I must admit it is fun to hang out and watch the coffee crowd.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvn6e3kDWiQ/VaVnWkYfETI/AAAAAAAAEU8/mQ741p3S0Qw/s1600/P1030617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvn6e3kDWiQ/VaVnWkYfETI/AAAAAAAAEU8/mQ741p3S0Qw/s640/P1030617.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harrio Pour Over</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div></div><br />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08255032914854206547noreply@blogger.com3